Can you own the rain…
A column in the Denver Post this morning by Daniel Fitzgerald asked that very question. Can you own the rain?
Kris Holstrom lives on the western slope of Colorado and wanted to capture the rain that fell off her roof to be able to water her yard and her burgeoning organic farming business. It wouldn’t have been that much and she applied to do that through the State of Colorado.
But the State Engineer said no and the Water Court of Colorado agreed. They ruled that the rain that fell on her house was tributary to the San Miguel River and thereby previously appropriated. She can’t capture rain and use it on her garden.
This is the same thinking that is causing water problems in the western United States, prior appropriation or otherwise known as first-in-time, first-in-right. This is the same rule that has applied to water appropriation since the west was settled.
Since there is a tremendous increase in population the consumption and need of water is ever-growing. We (the residents of Colorado and the West) need to start planning and developing innovative solutions to water management. Being stuck in the same ol’ ways will not help us, but hurt us.
Studies have been done in capturing water that runs off the roofs and used to water gardens and also for waste supply (like toilets) and it will save a lot of water while still returning it to the river or transpired into the air to fall as rain somewhere else.
Most likely, the water from this persons roof would not make it to the river. It would have either evaporated or transpired through the vegetation.
We in the West need innovative technologies and a new thinking of water management. If we don’t the water crisis will only get worse.
United and Continental Plan Cooperation - Linking Networks and Services
I received the following email today from United about United and Continental linking their networks and services, including their frequent flyer programs. This is the first of probably a series of combinations, mergers, or cooperations that will occur in this market.
I still won’t fly either airline unless I have to because the service is so bad, especially charging for the first checked bag. Good luck, you’ll need it.
As a valued Mileage Plus member, we wanted you to be among the first to hear that Continental and United today announced plans to cooperate globally, linking our networks and services worldwide to deliver new benefits to you. In addition, Continental plans to join United in the Star Alliance®, the most comprehensive airline alliance in the world.
Once implemented, this new partnership, will easily enable you to take advantage of the resources of both airlines to enhance your overall travel experience, and receive more value from your Mileage Plus membership.
First and foremost, this partnership will include new frequent flier reciprocity that will enable you to earn miles when flying on either airline and redeem awards on both carriers. Travel on either carrier will count toward earning elite status. Similarly, members of either airline’s airport lounge program will have access to both Continental’s Presidents Club network and United’s Red Carpet Club® lounges.
Second, together with Continental, we will be able to offer you a more comprehensive domestic route network and together with our Star Alliance partners, greater choice of service throughout the entire world.
Starting in the U.S., you are going to see United and Continental develop extensive code-sharing that will facilitate travel whenever your itinerary involves both carriers. We will be able to provide you with a coordinated process for reservations/ticketing, check-in, flight connections and baggage transfer.
Internationally, Continental and United will establish joint ventures that will allow us to cooperate with each other and with other Star Alliance airlines throughout the world. These joint ventures will enable us to provide you with highly competitive flight schedules, fares and service to more destinations than we do today.
In short, once regulatory approval is obtained, this new partnership between United and Continental will expand your choice of flights and destinations, and improve your ability to earn both miles and elite status in Mileage Plus. Together we will offer you more value whenever you fly. We expect to bring you the benefits of our cooperation starting some time in 2009, and until then, we will keep you informed about our progress.
We appreciate you and your business, and we look forward to seeing you on your next flight.
Sincerely,
Robert Sahadevan
Vice President – Mileage Plus
Casinos ticketed for allowing smoking
Casinos ticketed for allowing smoking - The Denver Post
I am sorry, but having a $200 for a business like the casinos is not going to deter them. It is ridiculously low and something that they could cover quite easily.
The cigar bar loophole is also a joke. That loophole is so wide a few semi-trucks could get through, let along smokers. That should be closed soon. I was in Maryland and they have a smoking ban in the county I was in. The patrons of the cigar bar I walked by had to sit outside because they don’t have that loophole.
Finally, the sheriff refusing to write tickets and enforce the law is just plain stupid. He is not doing his job then. It is nice to see that he finally issued the tickets, but give me a break.
The casinos and others better clean up their act or the smoking ban will go to the voters as a referendum and they won’t like the results. I am sure that it will be much tougher than the already tough law today. Albeight with out the big loopholes.
The High School Tony Awards, The Onion
This is one of their better videos, The High School Tony Awards. I was laughing out loud. It hit it pretty good.
High School Tony Awards Honor Nation’s Biggest Drama Club Nerds
How to Block Cellphone Spam - Pogue’s Posts
How to Block Cellphone Spam - Pogue’s Posts - Technology - New York Times Blog
This is a good article by David Pogue on how to prevent text messaging spam. I have been lucky and not received any, but my parents haven’t had that luck.
They were getting so much spam, they just turned off text messaging.
I have tried to convince them to turn it back on and do things like this to prevent the spam, but they don’t want anything to do with it.
I think it is important to have it turned on so, in case of an emergency, we can communicate by text. They live in earthquake territory. The phone lines can get maxed out quickly, but if they would be able to text, they could get some communications out.
I’ll be visiting them in a couple of months, maybe we could come up with something and I can get them to turn it back on.
Happy Father’s Day
I just want to wish all the fathers out there a Happy Father’s Day!
My kids wished my a Happy Father’s Day this morning by bringing me cold cereal and a diet coke. It is the thought that counts.
They then had a session of “Hop on Pop”. That is always fun, but I just have to watch out from getting hurt. They kids are getting bigger now, they are 3-5.
I hope everyone has a good Father’s Day!
I’ll miss Tim Russert
I just want to say that I’ll miss Tim Russert.
I enjoyed watching “Meet the Press” and listening to his thoughts and insight into political activities on NBC News and MSNBC. It was quite entertaining and he made it fun because he enjoyed it.
For those of you who don’t know, he passed away today at the age of 58.
I remember back to the Bush-Gore election and Russert was on the news speculating on the electoral college and who was going to win. It was back-and-forth and he kept erasing his white board. I was up late that night and Tim was still there with his white board.
I had the opportunity to see Tim speak in person at the PRSA International Conference last fall in Philadelphia. It was quite a speech and most of it spoke of the upcoming Presidential election. But he was most proud when he was talking about his book and his dad.
Tim Russert will be missed, especially as we go through this upcoming election. He made politics fun while educating us and providing a look into the campaigns.
Flickr Photos
-
-
-
